For centuries, turquoise was mined in the Southwest, making it the stone most commonly associated with Native American jewelry. But the closing of many turquoise mines and the modern global market, which introduced new stones to Native American jewelry makers, has resulted in multi-colored jewelry that incorporates a variety of fine gemstones.

See 360 virtual tour of our store

Contact Palms Trading Company today at (505) 247-8504

Common Gemstones in Beaded and Sterling Silver Jewelry

The types of stones that may be used for beads and inlays are nearly countless, but some appear in Native American jewelry more than others. Navajo, Zuni and Santo Domingo Indian jewelry exhibits the most variety of fine gemstones. The most common stones include:

Coral

Spiny oyster

Lapis

Jasper

Mother of pearl

Gaspeite

White Buffalo

Wild Horse

Charoite

Sugilite

Jet/Onyx

Amber

Malachite

The Native American jewelry at Palms Trading Company also includes pieces with other stones. Most jewelry contains genuine gemstones (mined), but some stones, such as opal, are lab-created.

Properties of Gemstones

Many of the fine gemstones used in Native American Indian jewelry has special meaning or properties associated with it. For instance:

Jasper is considered the patron stone of counselors and healers. Green jasper removes energy blocks and mellows high frequency energies. Yellow jasper is hormone balancing and good for relieving tension.

Lapis lazuli aids meditation and allows a more balanced and neutral perspective in emotional matters.

Opal attracts energy and interactions. The kind of opal (fire, jelly or opalite) dictates what kind of energy is attracted.

Understanding the significance of the gemstones in your jewelry often enhances its beauty and personal value. If you’d like to know more about the significance of stones used in Native American jewelry, just ask! Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to share what we know.

Authentic Native American Indian Jewelry

If you are looking for jewelry with a particular stone but don’t see it in our online collection, our personal shopper service may help you locate just what you’re looking for in our store. Contact us to tell us what type of jewelry and stone you’re hunting for, and we’ll take care of the rest!